Contraceptive device and insertion device and removal



APrll 1969 J. L. s NEIDER 3,441,018

CONTRACEPTI D CE AND INSERTION E REMOVAL Filed F 10, 1965 INVENTOR JOSEPH L.SCHNEIDER 3,441,018 CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE AND INSERTION DEVICE AND REMOVAL Joseph L. Schneider, 2544 E. 21st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11235 Filed Feb. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 431,634 Int. Cl. A61f /46 U.S. Cl. 128-130 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A contraceptive appliance of four parts; an intrauterine plug, a seating tube, having at one end a flexible flange, for proper seating; a rod for pushing the plug through the tube; a removal device; all parts working through the aforementioned tube.

A contraceptive device that prevents conception by blocking and retarding the passage of male sperm from the vagina to the uterus. The device for doing this consists of four parts. An intrauterine plug, a one-piece device, having a shank with ends of two ball-like shapes, made of stainless steel or plastic. The plug is inserted into the cervix by the use of the seating tube and push rod. The seating tube is a hollow plastic tube with a flange that flares out at the bottom end of the tube in a semicompleted oval shape; this acts as a guidance device in seating of the plug by adjusting to the vaginal walls. When inserted, the uterine plug can remain for as long as a month. A removal device makes up the fourth part.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the position of the device in the inserting mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the extractor used for removing the intrauterine device.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of the device in position in the uterus canal;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the intrauterine plug; and

FIGURE 5 is a top end view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1.

The description of the drawings is as follows: FIGURE 1 consists of a hollow tube, that has a flared portion 3, at the bottom thereof on the drawings. The device of FIGURE 2 is the removal rod with four metal or plastic fingers molded into the rod. The springs 6, 7, 8, and 9 are bent out, then bent half-way down, then bent in, a like amount. FIGURE 3 shows the device seated in the vagina 12 with the intrauterine plug in place in the cervix and the uterus canal .11. This figure is also shown cut away at the bottom. FIGURE 4 is the intrauterine plug with ball-like ends 4 and shank 5, which fits the seating tube of FIGURE 1; and moved in the tube by seating rod 2. FIGURE 5 is a top end view of FIGURE 1; showing the circular, flared portion of the bottom 3; the inner circles are the tube 1, and the seating rod 2, respectively.

There are many contraceptive devices that are patented, each seeking a solution to the problem; but the fact that they have all but a few, not found acceptance and use, seems to indicate that they have inherent defects in their makeup, and an improved or better device seems to be indicated. The main problem is in the female devices; the acceptable one is a very short period device. Others are elaborate devices, causing discomfort, and the person using them prefer pregnancy to prevention. One device depends on body chemistry for removal, a chancey proposition. The solution seems to be in a device that is small, but effective; that after a short period of time in use, would by the person using it, forget that it was even there. A simple device for seating, another for removing United States Patent 0 3,441,018 Patented Apr. 29, 1969 "ice it, completes the picture. FIGURE 1 in the drawing is the seating tube of slippery, flexible plastic, with an even 'more flexible flange. The flange flexes and when being seated, will decrease and increase in size, fitting the walls of the vagina as it is put in, keeping the tube portion centered in the vagina, and so is easily guided into the proper position for seating. The intrauterine plug of FIGURE 4. The rod 2, shown in the tube of FIGURE 1, is the seating rod, and is used to move the intrauterine plug in the tube, and then at proper time, push it into the cervix and the canal, sealing it. The seating rod is molded of the same type plastic as the plastic tube currently found on the market. The tube and the rod are removed after the plug is in place. The tube, the flange, and the plug can be made in various sizes, since women are not all built alike. The bottom flange, shown in FIGURE 5, completely circumscribes the tube and an intrinsic part of the tube. The shape is an incomplete oval. There is a space between the tube and the end of the flange to allow for flexing, and said flange tapers toward its end.

The intrauterine plug as indicated in FIGURE 4, has a long round shank with ends forming two ball-like shapes. The reasoning that dictated this choice of shapes is this; when inserted into the uterus canal, the walls will surround it and act as an anchor to prevent it from being dislodged. The roundness and biologically compatibility of materials keep the tissue adhering to the intrauterine plug, making a tight seal fit. The nonirritating material will also discourage the body from dislodging the plug. The two ball-like shapes and the shank all aid in blocking, or greatly impeding the sperms progress and because of its short life span, never reaches its goal. Being small and compatible of shape, made of materials of plastics or stainless steel, of the types used in dentistry; injection molded, or precision cast. This device should be able to stay in, much like dentures, for periods as long as a month; when it can easily be removed by the device in FIGURE 2 for the menstrual cycle. The extractor of FIGURE 2 is a flexible, plastic rod-like device, the same as the rod marked 2, but the ends are different. The rod 2 has a concave end, which fits the top of the intrauterine plug. The rod in FIGURE 2 has ends of four steel or plastic springs, molded into the plastic, extending out, as shown in the drawing, making a square-shaped figure at their extremities. The springs are per permently bent out, then in and, as illustrated by 6 to 9 on the drawing. Number 8 is the front spring, 7 is the back spring. The extractor fits into the tube 1, and the springs contract until they reach the end, then they again open. In the open position, with a little force they surround the ball. The ball is then drawn partially into the tube. The whole device, the tube, extractor, and intrauterine plug are all removed from the vagina. FIGURE 3 shows the seating device in the vagina 12, the uterus is 10, and the uterus canal is 11. All of the devices described will have to be initially fitted, and the patient educated in its use by a doctor for maximum effectiveness and satisfaction.

This ends the description and the specification.

What is desired to be claimed by Letters Patent is the following:

1. An intrauterine device of single unit construction comprising a thick round shank of straight rod-like shape that enlarges at each end of the shank into a ball-like shape; said device being made of stainless steel, or rigid plastic, that is biologically compatible with the tissue adhering to it; and effecting a seal of the cervix with one ball-like shape, and sealing the uterus canal with the shank, and other ball-like shape of the uterine plug.

2. An intrauterine device that seals the cervix of the uterus and the uterus canal by means of an intrauterine plug that has the shape of two rounded balls, connected by a thick shank, of straight rod-like shape; one of the ball-like shapes fitting into the cervix and forming a seal thereof; the shank and other ball-like shape being adapted to be disposed in the canal, and forming a seal thereof; and said cervix plug being of unit construction and made of stainless steel or rigid plastic, biologically compatible with the surrounding tissue.

3. An instrument of three separate components for placing and removing of intrauterine devices in the vagina, comprising a cylindrical, hollow tube at one end, and having a flange that flares out, then up, then inward, in an incomplete oval shape at the other end, made of a flexible, slippery-type plastic, of a length to protrude outside of a vagina when seated; allowing free movement within the intrauterine appliance; comprising a seating rod, and extractor, both the rod and extractor being of solid plastic of cylindrical shape; each having one end round and convex in shape; the seating rod having its other end concave and semispherical; the extractor having four fingers molded into the rods other end of stifi, spring-like plastic or steel, said fingers being bent out, then half-way down are bent inwardly in a like amount, meeting in a square shape at their ends, which spread and grip the intrauterine appliance and removes it from a uterus canal.

4. An instrument of three coordinated parts for the placement and removal of an intrauterine appliance, incorporating a molded cylindrical tube of hollow center,

one end forming a flange of a semi-completed oval shape,

inside the walls of said tube, to seat the intrauterine appliance; a retractor for removing said appliance, being solid and of same type plastic, fitting into said tube, one end being round and convex, the other end having a multiple of fingers of steel or rigid plastic; the said fingers being bent out, then half-way down bent inwardly in a like amount; the fingers being molded into the end of the rod and can thus expand, grip and remove said intrauterine appliance.

5. A surgical instrument, used in coordinated conjunction with a seating rod and extractor rod of claim 4, for the placement and removing of an intrauterine appliance in the cervix and the uterus canal; molded of a flexible, slippery-type plastic of cylindrical shape, with a uniform hollow center, having one end thereof of tube-like configuration, and the other end flaring out, then up, then back toward said tube, in a semi-completed oval, that circumscribes the tube, leaving a space between tube and the flange, with the flange wall tapering, from the beginning of the flareout, of the tube to the flanges end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,202 12/1936 Spicer 12813O 3,253,590 5/1966 Birnberg et al. 128130 2,893,385 7/1956 Millan 128I31 3,234,938 2/1966 Robinson 128-130 FOREIGN PATENTS 24,433 1/ 1894 Great Britain. 426,585 3/ 1966 Germany.

ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 128-131 

